News first broke about plans for the possible spin-off, which was centered on Wilson's character Dwight and his Schrute family beet farm, back in January before it was announced that the current season of The Office would be its last. Paul Lieberstein, who plays Toby on The Office, left his post as showrunner of the NBC comedy to help develop The Farm. Original showrunner Greg Daniels subsequently took his place and revealed in August that The Office would be ending after Season 9.